Over the past two years Wendy Williams has had to take a hiatus from her popular talk show due to a reported Graves’ disease relapse — here’s what to look for to avoid your own relapse

While she likely doesn’t want the honor, popular talk show host Wendy Williams has become the newest public face of Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. Williams joins other celebrities, such singer Sia, rapper/record producer Missy Elliot, and singer Leona Lewis, who have already spoken out publicly about their battles with Graves’ disease.

Graves’ is an autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid gland to become overactive. Symptoms can include weight loss, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, hair loss, and eye- and heart-related problems.

In late 2018, however, Williams announced her second lengthy hiatus from her show in two years, both of which she attributed to complications from relapses of her thyroid condition.

“Everything was fine, until it wasn’t.” -Wendy Williams, talk show host, about her Graves’ disease relapse

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Let’s look at what we know about Williams’ thyroid history.

Wendy Williams’ first relapse

On Oct. 31, 2017, Williams fainted on-air during a taping of her show. She later said that fainting was a result of feeling "overheated."

Being overheated can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Several months later, in February of 2018, Williams announced that she would be taking a three-week break from hosting her show in order to deal with treatment for a relapse of Graves’ disease.

"My thyroid has been totally catawampus. And that the eye thing you all have been seeing. You caught it before I did ...” Williams was referring to the bulging eyeballs and prominent stare — known as proptosis — a common eye-related symptoms of Graves’ disease.

In the video message, Williams also described trouble sleeping, difficulty swallowing, thinning hair, rapid heartbeat, and heat intolerance — all common symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

After her hiatus, an apparently recovered Williams resumed taping her show. During her show on March 19, 2018, Williams told television host and physician Dr. Mehmet Oz: “For 19 years, Dr. Oz, everything’s been under control. I drank the radioactive iodine, which was supposed to have taken out the actual thyroid function. I’d replace it every day with a pill. A pill a day for 19 years. Everything was fine, until it wasn’t.”

Wendy Williams’ second relapse

Then, on Dec. 20, 2018, Williams revealed on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with a recurrence of Graves’ disease. According to Williams: "... everyone is aware at this point about my thyroid condition (don’t cry for me Argentina). For all my fellow thyroid sufferers, you know what the deal is. And for those that don’t: I encourage you to please read up ...”

Around that time, her family also issued a statement that said: “Wendy has experienced complications regarding her Graves’ disease that will require treatment. Wendy will be under the strict supervision of her physicians, and as part of her care, there will be significant time spent in the hospital.”

No further details were revealed about the nature of the complications Williams was experiencing, or the recommended treatment she would pursue. At that time, Williams’ date to return to her show was moved back again. Guest hosts filled in for Williams throughout February, and late in the month, it was announced that Williams would return to hosting the show on Monday, March 4, 2019.

During the opening of her first show after her hiatus, which Williams featured in an Instagram video post. Williams said "we were supposed to only be off for two weeks for Christmas vacation. Towards the end of the two weeks, I started to feel a little thyroid, they're still adjusting my meds, and if you know about thyroid disease, it's a lifetime thing...Then the eyeballs, and you know, I always have this equilibrium thing...I can even tell you how many doctors I have but I want to shout out to each and every one of them, thank you very much...I had the MRIs, and the CT scans, and the blood pressure tests...and I'm happy to tell you that I'm doing swell."

Wendy Williams’ addiction and recovery

During her show on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, Wendy Williams revealed that she has been living in a "sober house" as part of her recovery from an unspecified addiction. Williams has in the past admitted to using cocaine, which she described in a confessional video posted to her Instagram. Williams also announced the launch of the Hunter Foundation, her group to help people struggling with addictions.

This same date, British tabloid the Daily Mail published photos and a story claiming that Williams' stay at the sober living house is due to alcohol and prescription pill addiction. According to the Daily Mail, "The revelation flies in the face of her public claim her extended break from The Wendy Williams Show was for 'medical reasons' and due to her Graves' disease. In reality, she flew to Florida where she checked into a detox and rehab facility - where she continued to drink and take pills." A source for the Daily Mail's story claimed that "Her Graves' disease has never been an issue at all."

What triggers a hyperthyroidism relapse?

It appears then, that Williams has had two relapses of Graves’ disease in the past year. Relapses like this are not uncommon. Some of the more common causes include:

Hormonal shifts: Relapses are more common during periods of hormonal change, such as pregnancy, post-partum, perimenopause, and menopause. In Williams’ case, she has said that she was in perimenopause around the time of her first relapse.

Overmedication: Taking too much thyroid hormone medication can result in overmedication and hyperthyroidism symptoms. After her first relapse, Williams announced that she had skipped several scheduled appointments with her endocrinologist due to a heavy workload. It’s possible that she had become overmedicated over time, especially if she had lost weight and needed her dosage dropped.

There are no reports confirming thyroid storm or heart-related complications for Williams. It is also possible that hospitalization may have been needed for the actual treatment of the hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease itself.

Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism are treated in three ways: radioactive iodine ablation (RAI), antithyroid drugs, and surgery to remove the thyroid gland, known as thyroidectomy. Since Williams had a relapse of Graves’/hyperthyroidism two decades after her initial treatment, it’s possible that her doctors recommended another RAI to treat her recurrence. After RAI, some patients are permitted to remain in the hospital for several days, to protect their family members and the public from any radioactive exposure. This is not common in the United States, however.

Another possibility is that after RAI and a relapse, her doctors may have recommended a thyroidectomy. In most cases, several days of hospitalization is typical after thyroid surgery.

Going forward

We wish Williams the best in her thyroid journey as she pursues treatment to manage her Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, and complications. Williams always seems to approach her health challenges with humor and strength, and it’s clear that after these relapses, she now views her health as a high priority. As she told PEOPLE magazine: “I love doing the show, but I love me more. So I’m going to take care of me, so I can be there for them.”

Mary Shomon

Mary Shomon is a patient advocate and New York Times bestselling author who empowers readers with information on thyroid and autoimmune disease, diabetes, weight loss and hormonal health from an integrative perspective. Mary has been a leading force advocating for more effective, patient-centered hormonal healthcare. Mary also co-stars in PBS’ Healthy Hormones TV series.